Oct 30, 2013: Turning Point: Dynamo were undone by a decisive 15-2 run by UMMC either side of the half-time break and when they threatened a major revival and cut the lead to just seven points, Silvia Dominguez sunk a big triple to re-ignite Ekat and get them rolling towards another podium summit.
Stat’s Don’t Lie: UMMC won the battle of the boards 46-37 and got to the free-throw line 23 times. Dynamo failed to capitalise on an unusually high 20 turnovers by Ekat.
Game Hero: Deanna Nolan enjoyed an economical shooting night, top-scoring with 15 points, on an evening in which Ekaterinburg demonstrated their immense depth as five other players surpassed eight points.
EuroLeague Women champions UMMC Ekaterinburg have added to their trophy haul, beating EuroCup Women winners Dynamo Moscow 72-63, claiming the FIBA Europe SuperCup Women for the first time.
Making their debut in the competition, UMMC shrugged off a slow start and then a late rally by Dynamo to take victory against their domestic rivals.
The contest had started with UMMC easing their way into a 10-7 advantage, but Dynamo hinted they were not going to be rolled over easily by sinking six consecutive points.
The hosts responded to edge 17-15 ahead by the end of the first quarter but were hauled back again, this time by Tatiana Vidmer, who previously spent three seasons in a UMMC vest.
The Dynamo forward was fired-up against her former club and completed an ‘and-1′ play to start the second period, which put the visitors back in front, although the UMMC frontcourt was still dominating on the glass and a couple of quick-fire scores threatened to get Ekat on the front-foot.
But, just when they looked like pressing down on the accelerator, the perimeter game of UMMC continued to desert them, and combined with some uncharacteristically sloppy errors which witnessed ten turnovers inside the first 15 minutes, Dynamo were able to keep pace.
They drew level at 24 through the ever-dangerous Toliver, but UMMC then suddenly found another gear approaching the interval and broke the game open with an 11-2 burst.
Reigning EuroLeague Women MVP Candace Parker scored six points to keep the scoreboard ticking over and put a very different reflection on the encounter as both teams headed to the locker room.
Still without the considerable influence of playmaker Lindsay Whalen and strength under the hoop of Tina Charles, it looked like a long way back for Dynamo and especially when Sandrine Gruda seemingly hammered another nail into the Dynamo coffin when the action resumed.
She converted three baskets in a row early in the third quarter and at 50-34, Dynamo were on the ropes and looked headed for the canvas.
But, to their credit, they wagged their tails with a 9-0 run. Just when a potential fairytale fight-back was in full swing, Dominguez made a big shot from downtown to restore superiority for UMMC.
Dynamo fought hard until the end with an impressive final quarter but the damage had been done.
Toliver finished with a game-high 21 points in defeat.
Quotes UMMC Ekaterinburg vs. Dynamo Moscow
UMMC Head Coach Olaf Lange:
“We faced a very inspired Dynamo team that played very hard physically. Dynamo played this game like a team that has nothing to lose. Looking at our roster, we have players who just arrived and still need time to adapt here. I’m very happy that we won the SuperCup Women.”
UMMC Player Deanna Nolan:
“I’m happy we won! Dynamo played hard. We had a lot of turnovers. It was a rush offensively, but as I said, I’m happy we won. It was one of those games when after you win you have to stop and look forward to get better.”
Dynamo Moscow Head Coach Vladimir Shtam:
“Because of the different types of defense we had a chance to score. I’m glad that the players played hard, but tonight the stronger team won.” —- Photographer: FIBA Europe/Andrey Petukhov
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